Is it "Orthodox" to Play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata?

[rubinsteinmad]

Hi, I wondered if it was considered "unorthodox" to play Mozart's Sonata K. 331 (the one with the pretty Theme and Variations people play for babies to listen to, and the third movement is Rondo alla Turca) in a competition? The requirements are "a Mozart, Haydn, or Beethoven classical sonata". I've already chosen a Haydn.
 
I'm pretty sure the judges are expecting something like Mozart's Sonata K. 332 up to Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata. So would it be considered "unorthodox" to play this sonata?

Also, would Beethoven's Sonata Op. 27 #2 "Moonlight" be considered respectful to the rules? I know it is allowed, but it might be a little... weird?

Also, it requires a Chopin Nocturne. Would Op. 9# 1, or 2, or Op. 55 #1, or Op. Posth c# minor be considered too immature? I think they are some of my favorite nocturnes, besides Op. 27 #1 and 2.

Thanks!

[kevonthegreatpianist]

I don't think the judges would care what sonata you're playing, but they might be both shocked and amazed if you're playing the entire Hammerklaiver. They might as well fall asleep on the 3rd movement. lol 

I think Mozart Sonata K 332 is harder than much of Beethoven's sonatas. You can compare the third movement against Beethoven's Op. 81a third movement, and it'll still be harder than it. The Moonlight Sonata is very popular and overplayed, but it won't be really be weird to play it.

Playing some of the easier Chopin Nocturnes would certainly not be immature. It would take a pianist 3-4 years to even the easiest Nocturnes. The judges might think that Op.9 No.2 and the c# minor Nocturne are overrated, but that can't stop you from playing it.

btw google nocturne oubliee. It's Chopin's least known Nocturne. I like it a hell lot.

[rubinsteinmad]

btw google nocturne oubliee. It's Chopin's least known Nocturne. I like it a hell lot.

Me too! Only problem is, it sounds like a Field Nocturne, except with Polish folktunes inside. But I kind of like the other nocturnes better. Still, it is good to consider.

[chopinlover01]

The judges may shake their heads and go, "For f***'s sake, not this again", but that's about the worst possible reaction.
Personally I like to stay away from the extremely popular repertoire like that. The rep I play is still not at all obscure or unknown (though those composers can often be better than the ones we know and love), but it's not like Fur Elise where everyone's heard it before.
In fact, dcstudio had an excellent quote about that.. She said something like, "Yes, because I've been waiting all night for someone to ask me to play Fur Elise".

[pianoworthy]

Beethoven's 15th sonata, the one immediately following the moonlight labeled "pastoral", is a personal favorite to play. It's probably one of the least played of his sonata's, and it's not too difficult, but it's quite beautiful and has the potential to show off your piano playing and musicality quite well.

[dcstudio]

when I was just a wee  little piano player I excitedly asked if I could play the Moonlight Sonata for a competition--- my teacher just said "absolutely not."      She wouldn't speak further about it...which made me kind of angry at the time- -but now--I totally get it...after 20 yrs of teaching --I so totally get it.

it's kind of like an unwritten commandment--

Thou shalt not play Moonlight Sonata for a judge ever.

 

[rubinsteinmad]

when I was just a wee  little piano player I excitedly asked if I could play the Moonlight Sonata for a competition--- my teacher just said "absolutely not."      She wouldn't speak further about it...which made me kind of angry at the time- -but now--I totally get it...after 20 yrs of teaching --I so totally get it.

it's kind of like an unwritten commandment--

Thou shalt not play Moonlight Sonata for a judge ever.

 

OK, I wont

[chopinlover01]

it's kind of like an unwritten commandment--

Thou shalt not play Moonlight Sonata for a judge ever.

 

And if thou shalt exploit the loophole in this law, and only play one movement, you surely must play only the second movement for something refreshing. Take mercy on the judges, for they are the ones who determine the winner.

[dcstudio]

Take mercy on the judges, for they are the ones who determine the winner.

   and it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the player of Moonlight Sonata to win a competition...


the Gospel according to dcstudio
AMEN

[visitor]

   and it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the player of Moonlight Sonata to win a competition...


the Gospel according to dcstudio
AMEN

[dcstudio]

that was hilarious...LOL    

[chopinlover01]

that was hilarious...LOL    

Praise the Lord!!

[dcstudio]

... hallelujah!  No Moonlight Sonata!!!

[chopinlover01]

... hallelujah!  No Moonlight Sonata!!!

If organized religion could get rid of beginners playing this, Rondo Alla Turca, Fur Elise, et. all, I'd probably reconvert.

[dcstudio]

If organized religion could get rid of beginners playing this, Rondo Alla Turca, Fur Elise, et. all, I'd probably reconvert.

Not many know this but--

at the seventh level of hell---below Judas Iscariot and the guys who killed Ceaser is the realm of the murdered renditions of Rondo Alla Turca, Fur Elise, Moonlight, and the others,  played endlessly incorrectly in the same place for all eternity....never stopping--never at the same tempo.  


 it was just too frightening for Dante to mention in his Inferno.

 

[rubinsteinmad]

Not many know this but--

at the seventh level of hell---below Judas Iscariot and the guys who killed Ceaser is the realm of the murdered renditions of Rondo Alla Turca, Fur Elise, Moonlight, and the others,  played endlessly incorrectly in the same place for all eternity....never stopping--never at the same tempo.  


 it was just too frightening for Dante to mention in his Inferno.

 

lol 

[rubinsteinmad]

I think Mozart Sonata K 332 is harder than much of Beethoven's sonatas. You can compare the third movement against Beethoven's Op. 81a third movement, and it'll still be harder than it.

I think K. 332's third movement is one of the easiest, as long as you can play the notes. I think that K. 332 doesn't need a lot of refining, unlike most Mozart Sonatas. Of course, people who don't have fast fingers  might be able to play l'Adieaux and never be able to manage K. 332 , but still, l'Adieaux is super hard technically, and even after that, you need to refine it A LOT.

That's just my opinion